Department of Philosophy

Areas of Study

Bachelor of Arts Major

Our philosophy major introduces you to the Western philosophical tradition while teaching you to be at home in contemporary philosophical thought.

While majoring in philosophy, you'll take a wide variety of courses that reflect the various areas of specialization within contemporary philosophy and the major epochs of the history of Western philosophy.

The program also provides opportunities for coursework in non-Western traditions.

Every philosophy major must:

Take 40-60 hours of philosophy courses above the 1000 level. At least 16 of these hours must be at or above the 3000 level. These hours must include the courses specified below.

Take 4 hours of Symbolic Logic or Practical Logic. We recommend you take this course as early as possible.

Take at least 4 hours of ancient and/or medieval philosophy. Eligible courses are: Greek Philosophy; Great Thinkers: Plato, Aristotle, or Maimonides; and other appropriate courses as offered, if approved by your undergraduate adviser.

Take at least 4 hours of modern and/or contemporary philosophy. Eligible courses are: Early Modern Philosophy, Kant to Nietzsche; Existentialism; Twentieth Century Philosophy; and Great Thinkers: Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Kant, Hegel.

Take PHIL 3999 during your senior year. This is a zero-credit course that is completed online. The course requires you to complete a post-test, a survey and to upload the best paper that you have written in a philosophy course.

Many students find that philosophy works as the complement to another major in a double major. In fact, half of our philosophy majors choose to double major in another field.

Some of the most common second majors are: art, art history, biology, history, international studies, math, physics, political science, psychology and religious studies.